Overview

Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA) was established by the Law Nº 31/2017 OF 25/07/2017 to carry out inspection of quality and standards conformity and promote healthy competition in the economy by prohibiting unfair business practices as well ensuring consumers protection.

Email:
info@rica.gov.rw

Address:
KK 8, Av 64, Kicukiro (Safari Center House)

Twitter::
@InspectorateRw

VISION

We strive to be internationally reputed as a reliable and customer-focused provider of inspection services that deliver quality and confidence for safeguard of businesses and consumer protection.

MISSION

promotion of trade through scientific evidence - based decision making and fair professional judgement in order to ensure sustainable business development as well as protection of plant & animal health and consumer rights.

PARTNERS

    • Ministry of Trade & Industry (MINICOM)
    • Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI)
    • Rwanda Development Board (RDB)
    • Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA) 
    • National Agriculture Development Export Board (NAEB)
    • Rwanda Agricultural and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB)
    • Rwanda Standards Board (RSB)
    • Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA)
    • Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA)
    • National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA)
    • Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) 
    • Rwanda National Police (RNP) 
    • Rwanda Consumer’s Rights Protection Organization (ADECOR)
    • Trade Mark Africa (TMA)
    • NPPO
    • AGRA

CORE VALUES

  • Customer focus: We are committed to attain the highest standards in service delivery by caring and paying attention to individual customer expectations without compromising regulations;

  • Integrity: We serve in a transparent manner, being open to constructive criticism and accountable to every decision made;

  • Impartiality: We provide our legal mandate with objectivity, fairness and without bias;

  • Efficiency: We are committed to empower both business community and consumers by effectively communicating regulations requirements and consumer rights;

  • Innovation: We are committed to be a learning organization that embraces change and continuously promotes creativity in its business processes.

Jean Pierre BAJENEZA

Acting Director General, RICA

Mr Jean Pierre Bajeneza is the Acting Director General of the Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA), bringing over 20 years of experience in food quality and safety, conformity assessment, and national quality infrastructure. He previously served in senior roles at the Rwanda Standards Board, including Ag. National Certification Division Manager and Director of Product Certification, where he led national certification programmes and strengthened compliance with international standards (ISO, Codex, SPS).

A food safety and quality specialist, he has extensive expertise in HACCP, ISO 22000, ISO 9001 Management systems, risk-based food control, and capacity building across key agri-food value chains. 

He is actively involved in harmonization process of Rwanda National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) Services and has consistently contributed to regional and global standard-setting bodies, including at EAC, ARSO and ISO CASCO, and supported trade facilitation initiatives under AfCFTA frameworks.

At RICA, he advances regulatory inspection, food and plant health systems, and consumer protection services to enhance market confidence and competitiveness.

He holds a MSc in Environmental Protection and Agricultural Food Production from the University of Hohenheim, Federal Republic of Germany and a BSc in Food Science and Technology from Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST).